Infrastructure Magazine

Infrastructure Magazine’s November issue is out now and available online. This edition explores how Inland Rail is transforming Australia’s freight network, the progress of Perth's new METRONET Ellenbrook Line ahead of its December opening, and exciting new milestones at Western Sydney International Airport. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, we also hear from Infrastructure Australia CEO Adam Copp and Infrastructure Victoria CEO Jonathan Spear on key industry trends and the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future. Access the latest edition here:

Inland Rail continues to power ahead, with important safety works completed and key environmental targets achieved.  Upgrades at Daroobalgie #levelcrossing are now complete, with boom gates and flashing lights now installed, making it an #activecrossing. Representatives of Inland Rail joined staff from contractor Martinus Rail and Forbes Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Chris Roylance, at its commissioning (pictured). Inland Rail Project Director, Stockinbingal to Parkes, Malcolm Clark, said, “We are proud to complete this upgrade. #Safety is at the heart of everything we do and so the level crossing upgrade became a key part of works to construct the Daroobalgie Passing Loop.” The company has also met a key environmental target of its Federal and NSW Government approvals for the completed Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project, with the retirement of 20,461 #biodiversitycredits, compensating for impacts to native vegetation on the project. Inland Rail Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, Steve Jones, said, “Preserving our landscape and caring for the habitats of native Australian flora and fauna is paramount to Inland Rail as we build this project through regional Australia.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gwjajqB7

The Australian Government and Victorian Government are joining forces to deliver sixteen new life-saving projects across the state under the Federal Road Safety Program. The boost in funding aims to ensure greater levels of safety by targeting notorious #crossings, #intersections and #thoroughfares across Victoria, further reducing the risk of crashes that cause fatal or serious injuries.

Brisbane Metro is set to expand as part of a new funding commitment from the Australian Government to revitalise the city and reshape the way it moves. The investment includes $50 million to support the delivery of a business case in partnership with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council to expand the Brisbane Metro to the city’s northern suburbs. The funding aims to provide more opportunities to #walk, #cycle and catch #publictransport.

The first stage of the Melbourne Airport Rail is set to kick off as part of a $5.3 billion federal funding commitment to boost economic growth, improve connectivity and tackle #congestion on suburban roads. More than $3.3 billion will go to new #road and #rail projects in the state, including the Melbourne Airport Rail, which will provide new transport options for people in Melbourne’s west. The Australian Government will also invest an additional $2 billion towards transforming Sunshine Station, and the Victorian Government will bring forward its Melbourne Airport Rail funding to enable the works, with Sunshine Station the next important step in Suburban Rail Loop. Find out more below.

Sydney Airport has released its Annual Traffic Performance Report Q4 2024, revealing a year of record performance. The passenger volumes for Q4 capped off a year where more than 41 million #passengers passed through the #airportterminals, coming within 6.8 per cent of the all-time high in 2019 of 44.4 million passengers. The #airport also posted its best operational performance on record, with 100 per cent of #internationalpassengers and 99.9 per cent of #domesticpassengers passing through security in less than ten minutes. Kerbside drop-offs in both the domestic and international terminals improved from Q3 and wait times for inbound #immigrationprocessing saw a 12 per cent improvement from the previous quarter, with Sydney Airport crediting this to its ongoing collaboration with the Australian Border Force. Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton, said 41 million passengers is a strong result that reflects the ongoing demand for #travel, boosting the almost $40 billion contribution the airport makes to the national economy on a yearly basis. “The momentum for #internationaltravel was especially strong in the last few months of the year and the addition of new partners like Turkish Airlines and Juneyao Airlines Co., Ltd., and positive discussions we’ve been having with prospective partners, sets us up well for 2025.  “What is really pleasing is our operations in the context of the demand we are seeing. Every quarter we’re directing our resources to the areas that will improve the metrics that matter to passengers.” Find out more below.

The Australian Government is investing $30 million to identify opportunities to enhance freight movement, productivity and the resilience of the current Inland Rail network in Wagga Wagga.

Major work on Victoria’s Big Build is set to continue over the autumn period of 2025 as the opening of the Metro and West Gate Tunnels approach.  

Roads Australia is calling for the Australian Government to bring transformational #infrastructureinvestment back to the national agenda in its 2025–26 pre-budget submission.  A renewed focus on long-term #transportplanning and investment is critical to support economic growth, maintain living standards and accelerate #decarbonisation, the organisation said. “Transport infrastructure brings enormous community benefits, connecting people with housing, jobs, education and essential services and creating vibrant public spaces,” said Roads Australia Chief Executive, Ehssan Veiszadeh. “Despite this, Infrastructure Australia’s 2024 Infrastructure Market Capacity report shows that the #investmentpipeline for #transport has declined by ten per cent in the past 12 months, representing a $32 billion reduction on the previous year’s outlook.” The submission includes Roads Australia’s four identified 2025–26 Budget priorities, reflecting concerns raised by its 120 member+ organisations. Read more below.

Inland Rail has invited locals to provide #feedback on the latest designs of the Broadford-Wandong Road bridge, with #construction set to begin later in 2025. Updated visualisations of the #bridge highlight wider traffic lanes for motorists, safe pathways for #cyclists and #pedestrians, improvements to the Rail Street and the Epping-Kilmore Road #intersections and an extension of the community garden.  Inland Rail and construction partner John Holland have commenced a month-long #communityengagement process to gather feedback on the designs, open until 24 March 2025. Inland Rail B2A Manager Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, Justene Cowie, said the latest designs have incorporated previous #communityfeedback, including improved #safety at the Rail Street intersection and connecting pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.